Connecting with your teenager can be difficult at the best of times. Dragging them away from technology has only made that mission harder. Wangat Lodge, on the Barrington Coast, connects teens to nature every school holidays with unique adventure camps.
Wangat Lodge owner Dan Lyons is a nature educator and practitioner of Bush Adventure Therapy. Working with schools, universities and the youth sector (with disadvantaged and at-risk young people) over the past 20 years, Dan has honed his skills to deliver inclusive and fun experiences. Alongside his wife Verity and a team of youthful mentors, Dan welcomes over twenty teens to adventure in the Worimi, Gringai and Wonnarrua Country, just north of Dungog, during the school holidays.
With activities ranging from shelter building and raft making, the Currawong Camp includes a 2-night hike that intimately connects the young people to their environment. “I was really nervous about the hike and sleeping in the bush, but when I was actually there, I just felt so safe with the mentors and the people I was with,” shares attendee Millie*. “I loved sitting around the campfire and all the funny stories I can now tell people.”
Overcoming anxiety and fear, Millie* attended the recent Currawong camp. Her parents were concerned about if she would even get there, let alone attempt the hike.
“Steve* and I want you to know just how much of a difference you have made to Millie*’s life,” shares her parent. “We are certain that what you helped her achieve on that camp will stay with us and her forever.”
It’s not just the physical adventure that occurs on camp. Teens are also encouraged to participate in meaningful conservation activities, like building habitat boxes, planting vegetables and managing waste. The mentors also role model exceptional values and respectful, honest communication. They are open and experienced in talking to teens about drugs and alcohol, party culture, consent and sex education, mental health and anything else they may want or need to talk about. The activities sew seeds for a balanced adult life with teens discovering that connection, satisfaction and learning can come without screens too.
“Both our boys gave it a big thumbs up. 5 stars,” shares another parent. “They returned all the better because of you. I sensed in them an inner uprightness, that they were a little more grounded, a little better balanced.”
Currawong Camp is suitable for teens in high school and bookings are available online now. As well as the teen camp, Wangat Lodge offers Family Camps and Bird Retreats and has accommodation and a venue available to book all year round.
For more information on any of the courses below, or Dan and Wangat Lodge
Please contact DAN directly:
Dan Lyons 0429 107875 info@wangat.com.au
BIRD LANGUAGE ONLINE COURSE
Thursday 11th August 6:30-8:00pm for 6 weeks on Zoom
BIRD RETREAT
Bird Language and Nature Connection Retreat – Oct. 13th–16th
FRIENDS OF WANGAT FAMILY CAMP
Spring Camp Sept. 26th – 29th
CURRAWONG CAMP – Adventure And Bush Skills Camp For Teens
Spring Camp – Oct. 4th–9th 2022.
